For dog lovers, it's the supposed dream job: dog handler! But how do you become a dog handler and where can I find work as one, what equipment is needed and what are the requirements? In this article, you'll find out everything you need to know!
Content: The path to becoming a dog handler
- How do I become a dog handler
- What does a dog handler do?
- The conditions
- Equipment and accessories
- Conclusion
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What does a dog handler do?
But what exactly does a dog handler do? There are various areas of responsibility. Firstly, of course, the police, who use their dogs to search for missing people, drugs or even money. The same applies to the military - in Germany, the Bundeswehr. There is also the civilian sector, in which rescue dogs search for people in difficult situations, for example during avalanche rescues in the mountains. As a dog handler, you are THE person the dog is attached to - professional dogs often become family dogs, as the bond between humans and animals is often very strong. For many, it seems like a dream job, the opportunity to pursue a hobby as a career. But when passion becomes a career, there is hardly any time off and so a dog handler is often on duty 24/7. Dog handler and dog come together when they are still puppies and live and work together from then on - usually until the end of the dog's life. Not only is the dog's training his responsibility, but the dog handler is also legally obliged and must be held responsible for any damage to property or personal injury caused by the dog. The daily work consists of missions - depending on the specialization, searching for explosives, drugs, as a guard dog or searching for missing people. Outside of missions, training takes place for emergencies.
How do I become a dog handler?
Although it is often a responsible and extensive job that requires a great deal of specialist knowledge, there is no training for this profession. As a rule, dog handlers are trained through further training with their respective employers. Police authorities, the armed forces and rescue services play a key role in this. It is also possible to work as a dog handler on a voluntary basis, but in this case all costs must be covered by the person themselves - including those for the dog, of course. In order to be trained as a dog handler in one of the professions mentioned, a completed vocational training in the relevant field is necessary:
- police
- Customs
- armed forces
- Security services
- Emergency services
The civilian sector offers one possibility, but here further training is a voluntary service provided by the employer and the employment agency rarely finances it. The police and the armed forces are naturally interested in well-trained dogs and the appropriate personnel, and so the further training and all costs incurred, as well as the dog itself, are covered. However, this requires previous employment as a professional soldier or civil servant!
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The conditions
The absolute prerequisite is that you enjoy working with dogs and training them, because as a dog handler you will spend a lot of time with the dog. Experience with dogs and training them is a must. Physical fitness is required, as is a certain level of intelligence. Appropriate aptitude tests are the first hurdle to being employed by the relevant authorities. Anyone who wants to pursue this career should also be prepared to work on call and in shifts on holidays and weekends.
See also: Training dogs – Why, how often and how long?
The better the relationship between human and dog, the better the training and working relationship will be. The willingness to take the dog into your home and to see it as a complete partner is often assumed - and should also be in your interest.
Equipment and accessories
For dog handlers, there is no such thing as bad weather - only bad clothing. It is essential for anyone who has to go out in all kinds of weather to save or protect human lives. Operations take place in all situations and appropriate equipment is a must! In addition to waterproof and breathable functional clothing, good shoes and good dog equipment are recommended. For example, for transport.
It is essential to have a transport box for dogs in the car, as this offers safety for the dog and the passengers on the many emergency trips. You should always have enough water and food with you, as a working day can be long and as a dog handler you should always be well prepared for emergency situations.
Even if a well-trained dog obeys every command, it is kept on a leash in most situations because many people are afraid of dogs.
This means the dog can be easily controlled and people who are being searched are less afraid. These dogs are not allowed to run free when tracking, but are kept on special search lines.
See also: How often does a dog need to go out?
Conclusion
It is not easy to become a dog handler and work as one. This is probably one of the reasons why it remains a dream job for many. But if you make the effort and at the end of a long journey meet the requirements to become a dog handler, you can turn your passion into a career - and what could be better than enjoying your work?
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